Funding

If you’re thinking about studying with AAT but are concerned about the cost, you could qualify for financial support. The government and other agencies offer funding, financial support and loans for people undertaking training.

The funding available to you will depend your circumstances, such as age, where you live and your financial situation. If you’re aged 16-24, some courses are free.

To find out more about funding for your AAT studies:

Use our training provider search to find the right training provider for you, and contact them about relevant funding and financial help

Look at our list of key organisations offering funding, broken down by age group.

The basics of apprenticeships - types, levels and the training involved

Benefits of apprenticeships

Support - talking to careers advisors or current and former apprentices

Becoming an apprentice - tips, guidance, links and advice.

They also offer an apprenticeship vacancy matching service and free mentoring, where you can talk to someone who has been through the apprenticeship programme.

National Careers Service – England

The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities. The service offers confidential and impartial advice. This is supported by qualified careers advisers.

The My Funding Information section on their website lets you keep track of what contributions the government has made towards your learning. You can also view how much you’ve put towards it, and you can save details of any funding searches you’ve done.

Kaplan Apprenticeships – England, Scotland

Kaplan’s apprenticeship website is designed to help young people aged 16 to 24 find an apprenticeship job through their free Accountancy Scholarship Programme, recruitment Service and summer school.

You can sign up for email updates, and services include:

A personal CV service, designed to help you find the right employment to step into an apprenticeship

Government funding may be available to you when studying the AAT qualification with BPP. The funding is accessed through the Skills Funding Agency Apprenticeship scheme. Visit the BPP website to find out if you meet the requirements.

16 to19 Bursary Fund - England

Get help from the government to pay for essential education-related costs if you’re 16 to 19 and in further education or training. The Bursary Fund can help pay for costs like: equipment you might need for your course, lunch and transport to and from your school or college. Visit the Bursary Fund website to find out how it's paid and how to apply.

Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) - Scotland

Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) are for people who are 16 or over and living in Scotland and are for individuals who will benefit most from this support. Visit the 'My World of Work' website to find out if you're eligible and how to apply. It’s a great way to pay for learning new skills and because the money isn’t a loan, you don’t need to worry about paying it back.

Redundancy Action (ReAct II) - Wales

ReAct ll - The Redundancy Action II (ReAct II) scheme is a programme of funding for training, and is provided by the Welsh Government and the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) for people living in Wales who are facing redundancy, or have already been made redundant in the last 6 months. This is a package of support that will assist you in gaining new skills to improve your chances of returning to work in the shortest time possible.

Depending on your circumstances the support can include a contribution towards the cost of training and, in some cases, support for travel, accommodation and childcare provision. If you have special needs, you may be able to get help with equipment needed for training. ReAct II can offer employers a wage subsidy and training grant if they employ a redundant worker

You can apply for a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan for AAT courses starting on or after 1 August 2013. These loans help learners aged 24 or above pay the fees charged by colleges and training providers for courses at Level 3 and Level 4.

There is also a 24+ Advanced Learning Loans Bursary Fund to cover any support needs, such as help with your learning, or help with childcare or residential costs. Your provider can give you details on how they operate their Bursary Fund.

The basics of apprenticeships - types, levels and the training involved

Benefits of apprenticeships

Support - talking to careers advisors or current and former apprentices

Becoming an apprentice - tips, guidance, links and advice.

They also offer an apprenticeship vacancy matching service and free mentoring, where you can talk to someone who has been through the apprenticeship programme.

National Careers Service – England

The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities. The service offers confidential and impartial advice. This is supported by qualified careers advisers.

The My Funding Information section on their website lets you keep track of what contributions the government has made towards your learning. You can also view how much you’ve put towards it, and you can save details of any funding searches you’ve done.

Adult Entitlement to Learning - England

The Adult Entitlement to Learning gives all eligible adults aged 19 and over the chance to access a range of courses, including AAT qualifications. If you are eligible, you could study for a qualification and have no course fees to pay.

The Skills Funding Agency website has further information on eligibility criteria and how to apply. Your college or training provider will decide if you are eligible, so you can also contact your student support office for further details.

Discretionary Learner Support - England

If you’re aged 19 or over, on a further education course and facing financial hardship, you could get Discretionary Learner Support (DLS). The money can help pay for accommodation and travel, course materials and equipment and childcare (if you qualify).

If you're at a college, speak to your student support or welfare officer. If you're in a sixth form, get in touch with your tutor or the student awards or student support officer.

Professional and Career Development Loan - England

Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans to pay for courses and training that help with your career or help get you into work. You may be able to borrow between £300 and £10,000. Loans are usually offered at a reduced interest rate and the government pays interest while you’re studying.

The Ministry of Defence's Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC) is an initiative to promote lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces. The Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service has more information about how to apply and claim ELC funding.

Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) - Scotland

Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) are for people who are 16 or over and living in Scotland and are for individuals who will benefit most from this support. Visit the 'My World of Work' website to find out if you're eligible and how to apply. It’s a great way to pay for learning new skills and because the money isn’t a loan, you don’t need to worry about paying it back.

Assembly Learning Grant – Wales

This grant provides support to help people from low-income families to access and remain in further education. It covers the cost of books, equipment and travel. To qualify you must be over 19 and studying at least 8 hours a week on a course that leads to a nationally recognised qualification. The Student Finance UK website gives more information about eligibility and what you'll receive. For more information, contact your local college.

Redundancy Action (ReAct II) - Wales

ReAct ll - The Redundancy Action II (ReAct II) scheme is a programme of funding for training, and is provided by the Welsh Government and the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) for people living in Wales who are facing redundancy, or have already been made redundant in the last 6 months. This is a package of support that will assist you in gaining new skills to improve your chances of returning to work in the shortest time possible.

Depending on your circumstances the support can include a contribution towards the cost of training and, in some cases, support for travel, accommodation and childcare provision. If you have special needs, you may be able to get help with equipment needed for training. ReAct II can offer employers a wage subsidy and training grant if they employ a redundant worker

The basics of apprenticeships - types, levels and the training involved

Benefits of apprenticeships

Support - talking to careers advisors or current and former apprentices

Becoming an apprentice - tips, guidance, links and advice.

They also offer an apprenticeship vacancy matching service and free mentoring, where you can talk to someone who has been through the apprenticeship programme.

24+ Advanced Learning Loan - England

You can apply for a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan for AAT courses starting on or after 1 August 2013. These loans help learners aged 24 or above pay the fees charged by colleges and training providers for courses at Level 3 and Level 4.

There is also a 24+ Advanced Learning Loans Bursary Fund to cover any support needs, such as help with your learning, or help with childcare or residential costs. Your provider can give you details on how they operate their Bursary Fund.

The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities. The service offers confidential and impartial advice. This is supported by qualified careers advisers.

The My Funding Information section on their website lets you keep track of what contributions the government has made towards your learning. You can also view how much you’ve put towards it, and you can save details of any funding searches you’ve done.

Adult Entitlement to Learning - England

The Adult Entitlement to Learning gives all eligible adults aged 19 and over the chance to access a range of courses, including AAT qualifications. If you are eligible, you could study for a qualification and have no course fees to pay.

The Skills Funding Agency website has further information on eligibility criteria and how to apply. Your college or training provider will decide if you are eligible, so you can also contact your student support office for further details.

Discretionary Learner Support - England

If you’re aged 19 or over, on a further education course and facing financial hardship, you could get Discretionary Learner Support (DLS). The money can help pay for accommodation and travel, course materials and equipment and childcare (if you qualify).

If you're at a college, speak to your student support or welfare officer. If you're in a sixth form, get in touch with your tutor or the student awards or student support officer.

Professional and Career Development Loan - England

Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans to pay for courses and training that help with your career or help get you into work. You may be able to borrow between £300 and £10,000. Loans are usually offered at a reduced interest rate and the government pays interest while you’re studying.

The Ministry of Defence's Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme (ELC) is an initiative to promote lifelong learning amongst members of the Armed Forces. The Enhanced Learning Credits Administration Service has more information about how to apply and claim ELC funding.

Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) - Scotland

Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) are for people who are 16 or over and living in Scotland and are for individuals who will benefit most from this support. Visit the 'My World of Work' website to find out if you're eligible and how to apply. It’s a great way to pay for learning new skills and because the money isn’t a loan, you don’t need to worry about paying it back.

Assembly Learning Grant – Wales

This grant provides support to help people from low-income families to access and remain in further education. It covers the cost of books, equipment and travel. To qualify you must be over 19 and studying at least 8 hours a week on a course that leads to a nationally recognised qualification. The Student Finance UK website gives more information about eligibility and what you'll receive. For more information, contact your local college.

Redundancy Action (ReAct II) - Wales

ReAct ll - The Redundancy Action II (ReAct II) scheme is a programme of funding for training, and is provided by the Welsh Government and the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO) for people living in Wales who are facing redundancy, or have already been made redundant in the last 6 months. This is a package of support that will assist you in gaining new skills to improve your chances of returning to work in the shortest time possible.

Depending on your circumstances the support can include a contribution towards the cost of training and, in some cases, support for travel, accommodation and childcare provision. If you have special needs, you may be able to get help with equipment needed for training. ReAct II can offer employers a wage subsidy and training grant if they employ a redundant worker